The Washington Spirit are back to winning ways after a big win on the road against Bay FC. The 2-0 victory came from a costly own goal and was sealed with a late winner from Gift Monday. The Spirit jumped five spots on the NWSL table and now sits in playoff position heading into the upcoming international break.
The Spirit had their best start to a match all season. They controlled possession and created countless chances in the first half. In the 11th minute, Rosemonde Kouassi made a cheeky move near the end line and sent a cross into the box for Leicy Santos. The Colombian international had space to shoot, but her shot was off target. Washington would put 3 shots on target over the first 30 minutes. They ended the match with 20 shots, 10 of which were on target.
The first goal came in the second half from a play you’ll have to see to believe. Bay FC’s goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz tried to clear a ball about 10 yards from goal. The ball bounces off her teammate, Brooklyn Courtnall, flies backwards in the air, and ricochets off the inside of the post, having crossed the goal line for an own goal.
In the 86th minute, the Spirit put the final nail in the coffin with a late goal from Gift Monday. The Spirit were on the move with Trinity Rodman leading the charge. Once she entered the box, she took a shot on goal that was deflected by Silkowitz. The deflection went towards the area of Gift Monday with a defender between her and the ball. Facing the goal, Monday came from behind her defender and flicked the ball into the back of the net.
“Today we felt good, and we knew at some point, we were going to get a goal,” said the Spirit’s Esme Morgan after the match. “Obviously, it was a bit weird when it came, but we can’t complain.”
The Spirit not only won, but dominated Bay FC on their home turf. They outshot Bay 20-6, and the Spirit’s Sandy MacIver had to make a single save on the night, meaning the hosts only managed a single shot on goal.
“[On getting a clean sheet] Really good I think for confidence,” Morgan began. “We’ve had good performances and not quite managed to get over the line. I think just having that confidence of getting that first win out of the way… It kinda reinforces that we’re a good team in this league. When you don’t win, even when you’re playing well, there’s always that element of doubt.”
The Spirit goes into the international break on a high note, earning a crucial 3 points on the road. Their next match will be at home on April 24 when they host the KC Current, where fans will get to pay their respects to former Spirit superstar Croix Bethune.
-Jon Jones
Photos: James Lyons